An update on Interstate 794’s future, including possibly removing part of that downtown Milwaukee freeway, will be the subject of an open house.
The May 29 meeting will provide information on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s I-794 Lake Interchange Study. It will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, 625 N. Milwaukee St.
WisDOT will unveil narrowed options for I-794.
Those concepts include rebuilding freeway bridges within I-794’s current alignment and keeping all existing freeway access ramps, and rebuilding bridges with a tightened alignment that consolidates ramps.
Another option: removing part of the freeway between the Hoan Bridge and North Sixth Street, and replacing it with a two-way Clybourn Street and other street improvements.
The department this year plans to begin preparing an environmental impact statement which selects a preferred alternative for I-794.
That process will include public meetings to share additional details of the alternatives, provide information on traffic and other analyses, and gather public feedback.
Final design work could start in 2026, with construction possibly starting in 2028 if the $300 million project obtains federal and state funding.
Some freeway sections date to 1974.
They weren’t touched when part of I-794 was reconstructed from 2013 through 2016 — a $239 million project that included rebuilding the Hoan Bridge’s concrete deck.
Replacing part of the freeway with surface streets could generate more than 3,000 housing units, and $535 million in property and sales taxes, over 30 years, according to a 2024 study. It focused on land opened for development with the freeway’s removal.
The study was sponsored by Rethink 794, a group of environmentalists, urbanists and others who favor the freeway’s replacement. It was done in partnership with veteran urban planner Larry Witzling.
Some downtown property owners and business operators are opposed to replacing the freeway with surface streets. They’re concerned that I-794’s replacement would bring traffic congestion, including in the Historic Third Ward.
Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and Facebook.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-794 open house to unveil freeway options, including possible removal